Venetian blind



VENETIA BLIND Filed Dec. 1l, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 4, 1947. L. SPENCER VENETIAN BLIND Filed Dec. ll. 1944 3 sheets-sheet s Patented Feb. 4, 1947 UNlTED STATES PATENTv OFFICE VENETIAN BLIND Lloyd Spencer, Los Angeles, Calif. Application December 11, 1944, Serial No. 567,626

v16 Claims. (Cl. 16d-107) My invention relates to' Venetian blinds and among the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a Venetian blind which is par-f ticularly designed so that it may be hermetically sealed between panels of glass and is therefore protected from dirt and damage.

Second, to provide a Venetian blind which, by reason of the protection afforded-by the covering panes of glass may utilize slats which are extremely thin and lightin weight, thereby, not only enhancing the appearance of the Venetian blind but also permitting closer stacking when the blind is raised.

Third, to provide a Venetian blind wherein all the mechanism for supporting, tilting, raising and lowering the blind is contained in' a relatively narrow marginal frame thereby avoiding the unsightliness of the cords and tapes of the conventional Venetian blind.

Fourth, to provide a Venetian blind which incorporates a novel control mechanism whereby the initial lowering or raising movement of the Venetian blind is employed to tilt the slats of the blind from one extreme position. to the other, thereby providing a Venetian blind which lends itself to electric motor'control; for example, a

reversible motor and two control buttons are ca-V pable of accomplishing tilting adjustment as well as raising and lowering the blind.

Fifth, to provide a Venetian blind which is counterbalanced and which, together with the fact that the moving parts, particularly the slats, may be extremely light weight, requires only a minimum amount of power to operate.

Sixth. to proyidea Venetian blind wherein the slats may be so arranged that they interlock in their closed position lto provide af'sight proof and virtually light proof partition.

With the above and other objects in view, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A is a perspective view of my Venetian blind shown installed between'panes of glass in its raised position with the forward pane broken away and a portion of the Venetian blind frame shown in section. V

`Figure 2 comprises a series of diagrammatlcal views illustrating the manner in which counterbalance of the Venetian blind isiaccomplished'.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of my Venetian blind taken through 3-3` of Figs. 1 and 5 showing the Venetian blind in its lowered and closed position. Y Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view through 4 4 of Figure 3,indicating by dotted 2 lines the open position of the Venetian blind slats. Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view through 5--5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view through 6-6 of Fig. 3 with the glass panels omitted.

` Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of a modiiied form of slat tilting mechanism, the blind frame being indicated in section.

Figure 8 is a sectional view thereof taken through 8 8 0f Fig. 7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken through 9-1-9 of Figure 3 showing the manner in which the slats raise and `move into their closed position as the Venetian blind is lowered. l

Figure 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, showing the manner in which the slats move from their open position to the stack of slats 'as the Venetian blind is raised.

Figure 11 is ah enlarged fragmentary view of ladder chain employed to connect and tilt the slats.

Figure `12 is a sectional view through I2-l2 of Fig. ILL.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the adaption of the ladder chain to support the slats at intermediate points in those cases where the width of the window is too great to suspend the slats solely by their ends.

My Venetian blind is preferably housed in a marginal frame structure which comprises a top tubular member I, vertical., tubular members 2 and a bottom tubular or vchannel member 3 formed ofy metal. The vertical members 2 are provided with vertical slots 4. Both the top and vertical members are square in cross section and are provided with marginal flanges 5 which, as will be brought 'out later, overlap the upper and vertical edges of the slat assembly. The bottom member 3 is preferably channel shaped in order to Aaccommodate the lower end 0f thel slat assembly when the Venetian blind is in its lowered DOsition.

The frame structure may be mounted in any suitable manner between glass panels 6. Preferably the panels are cemented to the sides of the frame structure by a process such as employed in the construction of double and triple glazed windows, known ommercially as Thermopane. l

Near each end of the upper frame member I is a. bracket bearing 1 in which are journaled shafts .8. These overhang the upper ends of the verti- A3 provided with sprockets 9. Between the sprockets 8 and the bearings 1 the shafts carry slat supiporting collars I0.

The portion of each shaft between its collar III and its bearing 1 functions as the sun element of a planetary drive mechanism. A pair of planetary rollers-II ride on the shaft and are supported from the collar l0. Around the 'planetary rollers is a ring member I2, which is nattened at diametrically opposite portions and there provided with lugs which project axially for securing the ring member I2 to the adjacent bearing 1. At four points, preferably located on two diametrical planes disposed in 120 relationship, the ring member I2 is shaped to provide two sets of opposed wedglng portions I3 and I4 which are in converglngrelation with the curvature of the shaft 8, the set I3 being directed counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 4 and the other set I4 being directed clockwise.

The spacing between the shaft 8 and the ring member I2 and between the sets of wedging pori tions I3 and I4 is slightly less than the diameters of the rollers II, but these portions of the ring member are yieldable so that instead of wedging fast between the shaft 8 and ring member l2 the rollers Il upon initial movement in either direction form a planetary drive connection which rotates the collar I at areduced speed in the direction of the shaft 8 until the rollers enter the other set of` wedging portions whereupon the rollers are freed and the wedging portions function as overriding clutches.

By this means a partial rotation of the collars is effected with each initial movement `of the shaft in a new direction'and such partial rotation is employed to tilt the slat assembly of the Venetian blind as will be described hereinafter. To limit definitely the oscillative movement of the collars, they are provided with arcuate notched portions I5 forming spaced shoulders which en. gage a stop I5a projecting from thecorrespond; ing bracket bearing 1.

`An alternative form of tilting mechanism is shown inFigures 7 and 8, which however operates similarly to the above described structure. In the construction shown in Pigs. '1 and 8, the ring member I6 is split diametrically and provided withabutting flanges I1 yieldably held in abutment by springs I8 `compressed betweenr shoulders extending from the bracket bearing 1. As in the first construction sets of wedging portions I3 and I4 are provided. The two halves of the ring member I6 are `thus yieldable outwardly to afford the necessary drive connection.

A pair of combined. elevating and counterbalancing chains I8 passover the sprockets Band support a carriage or carrier structure 20 which comprises a pair of hanger-straps 2| of J-form suspended by their longer legs from saidchains Vand a base bar 22 supported by the shorter legs of the hanger'straps. The hanger straps are' provided with rollers 23 which 'ride against a wall of the vertical frame members 2. The base bar remains substantially horizontal and forms a base upon which those Venetian blind slats which are not suspended by theladder assemblies stack, ascl will' be described' in more detail hereinafter. The remaining ends of the chains are provided with weights I9a which counterbalance they carriage structure 20.

A pair of tapes 24 are journaled on pins 25 extending from each 'collar I0 at diametrically opposite points. Each pair of tapes support a ladder chain assembly each of which comprises a pair of chain units 26 connected at intervals 4 Y by cross bars 21. Each chain unit is formed by an alternate ser/ies of single links 28 and double links 29 joined alternately by hinge pins 30 and hinge arms 3I extending from the cross bars 21.

One end of each double link is provided with extensionsA joinedby a pin 32 positioned to engage the\ad.iacent linkto prevent overcenter" movement, that is provide a slightly yleldable stop tending-'to cause folding of the links. in a predetermined direction. `.'l'he arrangement is such that the links of the two chain units fold inwardly, that is, toward each other as shown best'in Figures 9 and 10. p

The lowerends of each pair of the chain units 26 are joined by a cross lever 21a which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to an extremity of the base barl22 by journal pins 2lb.

l' 'I'he loopedlower ends of the hanger straps 2l 4preferably move clear the cross levers 21a.

'I he central portions of the cross bars 21 are connected to the extremities 33 of Venetian blind slats 34 which extend between the two vertical tubular frames 2. The extremities 33 are reduced in`width to enter the slots 4.

It is preferred to move the Venetian blind slats displaced approximately planes of the slats being vertical, and in the other extreme position the slats being inclined about 30. 'I'he between two positions slat tilting mechanism and pivotal connections between the c`ross bars 21 and the chain units 60 either side of a vertical axis. This is accomplished by ltwisting the central portion of each cross bar 21 approximately 30 l.with respect to the plane between the hinge arms 3I thereof.

The margins of the slats 34 are preferably bent to form rudimentary obtusely directed flanges 35 which are adapted to overlap when the slats are in their vertical planes as shownby solid lines in` Figs. 4, 5, and in the upper portion of Fig. 9. The ilanges 35 also serve to stillen the slats which are constructed of extremely thin material. In

fact, because of the protection afforded by the 6. much thinner material may be glass panes is feasible with unprotected slats.

employed than The thin edge aspect of the nestling of the slats and possible by the construction shown renders feasible the use of a narrower slat than is conventionally used so that spacing between the glass panes may be reduced to a minimum.

is important Vfor it enables the with its covering of glass to form a single unit or package capable of installation in the manner now employed for multiple glazed windows, such as the window known commercially as Thermopane.

The two shafts 8 are joined by a drive shaft 38 about which is wound a torsion spring 31 which cooperates with the chains I9 and weights Isa suspended from the ends of said chains opposite from the carriage structure 20, as will be brought vided about the protruding. shaft. Still further.

an electric motor 36e with its may be mounted These various means of actuating the shaft 1 are indicated in Fig. 1. While' manual means of congear reduction unit equal amounts or approximately slats and the compact l their ladder chains made Venetian blind .within the upper iframev I.'

trol is feasible, it is preferred to employ a reversible electric motor and a pair of push button controls as tilting of the Venetian blind is eiected by the initial movement of the drive shaft in either direction; that is an up and a down button may eiect both raising and lowering of the blind as well as tilting movement.

Operation of my Venetian blind is as follows: Assuming iirst that the blind is in its upper position shown in Fig. 1 wherein all or virtually all the slats rest on the base bar 22 of the carriage structure 20, and the shaft 1 is rotated in a direction to lower the blind. With initiallowering movement, the slat tilting mechanism comprising the shafts 8, rollers II and collars I tilt the ladder chain assemblies into the position shown best in Fig. 9 and. as the slats are picked up from the. stack of slats on the carriage they rotate individually from a horizontally to a vertical or closed position. When the blind has been lowered to a point slightly below the desired level, the drive shaft I is rotated in the opposite direction which causes the tilting mechanism to `tilt the ladder chain supported slats from the` position shown in Fig. 9 toward the position shown in Fig. 10 until the desired angular position of the slats is obtained. It should be noted that the right hand side of the several views such as Figs. 4, 5, 9 and 10 represents the outdoor side of the blind and the flanges 35 are so directed that one cannot look upwardly between the slats when they are closed. The extremities of the slats 34 extend between the flanges so that one can' not see through the margins of the blind.

When the slats are rotated to their other extreme position shown in Fig. '.10 the slats present an edge aspect to downwardly directed rays of light. It will be noted in Fig. that as the blind is raised the slats readily turn into the horizontal position as they are individually engaged by the ascending stack of slats on the carriage.

The Venetian blind is maintained in a counterbalanced condition irrespective of its position,\

this is best explained by reference to Fig. 2. While various combinations of values may be employed, one combination lis represented. for purposes of illustration; that is, assume that the total weight of the two chains I9 equals the total weight of the slats and their ladder chain assemblies; that the weights 38 balance the carriage structure that the spring 31 when wound exerts a torque equal to the weight of but in opposition to the chains I9; and that those slats which are supported by the ladder'chains are in balance, then:

When the blind is raised, the stacked slats balance the chains, the carriage balances the weights and the spring exerts zero torque as indicated in the right hand column of Fig, 2. When the blind is loweredmidway the two halves of the chains balance themselves and the halfstack of slats is balanced by the partially wound spring, as shown in the middle column of Fig. 2. When the blind is lowered, all of the slats are supported from the ladder chains and exert no torque on the shafts 8, the `spring is wound however, balancing the chain as shown in the left column of Fig. 2. 1

The lengths of the end straps 2| of the carriage structure is suilcient to place theirjunctureswith the chains I9 above the center of gravity of the stack of slats thereon vso that the tively wide without requiring intermediate supports for the slats.` When, however, the, width of the Window requires, additional ladder chains assemblies may be provided, as4 shown in Fig. 13. The ladder chains are similar to those previously described except that the cross bars are double; that is, a pair of cross bars form two sides of a loop and the hinge arms 3| the ends of the loop. To conceal the intermediate ladder chain assemblies channel ribs 38 extend between the? top and bottom frame members I and 3v 39 corresponding to the slots 4.

, Though I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be nmited thereto, but desire to-mciude au novi elty inherent in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A Venetian blind comprising: a plurality of slats; a suspension assembly adapted to support said slats in spaced series relation; a carrier adapted to -be raised and lowered thereby to gather said slats into a stack relieved from the support of said suspension assembly and to release said slats from said stack for return to the support of said suspension assembly; a. mechanism for raising and lowering said carrier; and a tilting instrumentality operable through said suspension assembly during a predetermined initial raising and lowering movement of said carrier for tilting said slats.

2. A Venetian blind comprising: a plurality of slats; a suspension assembly adapted to support said slats in spaced series relation; a carrier adapted to be raised and lowered thereby to gather said slats into Va stack relieved from the support of said suspension and to release said slats from said stack for return to the support of said suspension assembly; and a mechanism for raising and lowering said carrier including a drive means, weighted suspension means. having portions exerting opposing loads on said drive means, the one load compensating for the weight of slats stacked in said carrier. the'opposing Aloady substituting for the weight of the slats suspended from said assembly, and a device exerting a force counterbalancing the substitution load of said suspension means. whereby the resultant load on said drive means is substantially balanced for all positions of said carrier. I

3. A Venetian blind comprising: a plurality of slats; a suspension assembly adapted to support said slats in spaced series relation; a carrier adapted to be raised and lowered thereby to` suspended from said assembly, and a device exerting va force counterbalancing the substitution load of said suspension means, whereby the resultant load on said drive means is substantially balanced for all positions of said carrier; andv a tilting instrumentality operable through said suspension assembly during a predetermined initial raising and lowering movement of said carrier for tilting said slats.

4. A Venetian blind comprising: .a plurality of slats; a suspension assembly adapted to support said slats in spaced series relation; a carrier and define slotsv combination clutch and said driven element in adapted to be raised and lowered` thereby to gather said slats into a stack relieved from the support of said suspension assembly and to release said slats From said stack for return to the support of said suspension assembly; a mechanism for raising and lowering said carrier; and a planetary driveconnection between said mechanism and said suspension assembly operable during initial raising and lowering oi said carrier to cause tilting of said slats.

5. A Venetian blind comprising: a plurality of slats; a suspension assembly adapted to support said slats in spaced series relation; a carrier adapted to be raised and lowered thereby to gather said slats into a stack relieved from the support of said suspension assembly and to release said slats from said stack for return .to the support of "said suspension assembly; a mechanism for raising and lowering said carrier including a drive means, weighted suspension means having por- Itions exerting opposing loads on said drive means,

- the one load compensating for the weights of slats stacked` in said carrier, the opposing load substituting for the weight of the slats suspended from said assembly, and a`device exerting a force counterbalancing the substitution load of said suspension means, whereby the resultant load on said drive means is substantially balanced for all positions of said carrier; and a combination clutch and planetary drive connection between said mechanism and said suspension assembly operable during initial raising and lowering of said carrier to cause tilting of said slats. y l

6. A Venetian blind comprising: a slat carrier; a slat suspension assembly; a plurality of slats alternatively adapted to be suspended in 'spaced relation by sa1d assembly or stacked on said carrier; mechanism for raising and lowering said carrier to stack and unstack said slats; and a tilting instrumentality for said slats operable through said assembly on those slats suspended thereby, said tilting instrumentality being operably connected to said mechanism during initial raising and lowering movement of said carrier to effect tilting of said slats .to one predetermined tilted position during continuedr raising of said slats and to another predetermined tilted position during continued lowering of said slats.

7. A Venetian blind comprising: a slat carrier,

a slat suspension assembly; a plurality of slats alternatively adapted to be suspended in spaced relation by said assembly o'r stacked on said carrier; mechanism for raising and lowering said c arrier to stack and unstack said slats; and a tilting yinstrumentality for said slats operable through said assembly on those slats suspended thereby, said tilting instrumentality being operably connected to said mechanism during initial raising and lowering movement of said carrier to offset tilting of said slats to one predetermined tilted position during continued raising of said slats and to another predetermined tilted position during' continued lowering of said slats; and n means for ycounterba'lancing the loadfof said slats on said raising and lowering mechanism.

8. A construction as set forth in claim 6 wherein said tilting instrumentality includes a, planetary means having a driving elementactuated by said y mechanism, a driven element rotatable thereby at a reduced speed `for actuating said assembly,

and dual overriding clutch means adapted to ter- `minatethe drive connectionbetween said elementslaftera predetermined `partial rotation of either direction.

9. A construction as set forthin claim 7 wherein said tilting instrumentality includes a planetary means having a driving element actuated by said mechanism, a driven element rotatable thereby at a reduced speed for actuating said assembly, and dual overriding clutch means adapted to terminate the drive connection between said elements after a predetermined partial rotation of said driven element in4 either direction.

10. A Venetian blind comprising: a slat carrier;v a slat suspension assembly; a plurality'of slats'alternatively adapted to be suspended in spaced relation by said assembly or-stacked on said carrier; a mechanism for raising and lowering said carrier including a drive means, weighted suspension means having portions exerting opposing loads on said drive means, the one load compensating for the weight of slats stacked in said carrier; the opposing load substituting for the weight stitution load of said suspension means, whereby the resultant load on said drive means is substantially balanced'for all positions of said carrier; rand a tilting instrumentality for said slats operable through said assembly on those slats sus-y pended thereby, said tilting instrumentality being operably connected to said mechanism during initial raising and lowering movement of said carrier to eiect tilting of said slats to one predetermined tilted position during continued raising of said slats and'to another predetermined tilted position during continued lowering of said slats.

1l. A construction as set forth in claim 10 wherein said tilting instrumentality includes 'a planetary means having a driving element actuated by said mechanism, a driven element rotatable thereby at a reduced speed for actuating said assembly, and dual overriding clutch means adapted to terminate the drive connection between said elements after a predetermined partial rotation of said driven element in either direction.

12. A Venetian blind comprising: a marginal frame structure dening opposed vertical slots; transparent panels covering said frame structure; a plurality of slats `extending between said slots and intosaid frame structure; a suspension assembly connected to the extremities of said slats within said frame structure for supporting said slats in spaced relation; a carrier extending under said slats and adapted to be raised and lowered thereby to stack and unstack said slats and form a support for said slats' in substitution of said assembly; means within said frame 'structure for raising and lowering' said carrier; a'nd means also within said lframe structure actuating said suspension assembly to effect tilting of said slats. f 1

13. A Venetian blind comprising: a marginal frame structure dening opposed-vertical slots; transparent panels covering said frame structure;v a carrier extending between said slots and Y into said frame structure;y a'slat tilting and suspension` assemblywithin said frame structure; a plurality of'slats'extending between said`slots and into said frame structure and` connected in spaced, tiltable relation by their; extremitieswo y la rier; a pair of slatzsuspension as's mblies;

, 9 rality of slats alternatively adapted to be suspended in spaced relation by their extremities between said assemblies or stacked on said `carrier; each of said suspension assemblies includlng a pair ofsuspension umts and cross bars pivotally joined between said 'units at intervals, the extremities of said slats being secured to said cross bars in planes displaced arcuately from the planes dened by the points of connection between saidcross bars and suspension units whereby the planes of said slats may tilt between a substantially vertical closed position and in.

inclined open position while said cross bars tilt substantially equal amounts either side a vertical axis; and mechanism for raising and lowering said carrier to e'ect stacking and unstacking of said slats, said mechanism including flexible suspension elements located beyond the extremities of said slats and said assemblies, and having points of connection with said carrier above the center of gravity of the maximum stacko! slats carried the 15. A venetian I in claim 14 wherein a tilting instrumentality is provided between saidv mechanism reby.

blind construction as set forth and said as' as 2,167,840

sultant load on said mechanism is-in substantial balance for all positions of said carrier.

REFERENCES `c rrizn Thel following references file of this patent: 'y

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Namev l Date claim 14 wherein the suspension elements oi' on said carrier, the op.

LLOYD SPENCER. ,Y

arev of record in .the 

